The Best Books I read in 2012

2012 was a pretty good year for me book-wise. I discovered a lot of new books( both new releases and new to me), with that in mind I'm only going to post the books that I gave 5 star ratings to on Goodreads.

                    

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green (Click here for review)
Want To Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman (Click here for review)
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
Cinder by Marissa Meyer (Click here for review)
Marked by P.C.& Kristin Cast
Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
If I Lie by Corrine Jackson
The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
Marcelo In The Real World by Francisco X. Stork
City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
34 Pieces of You by Carmen Rodrigues
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Article 5 by Kristen Simmons
New Girl by Paige Harbison
Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Thank you so much for stopping by, I look forward to discover more great books in 2013

Happy Reading and a Happy New Years!!!

October Rewind

Welcome to October Rewind. Another month that I didn't get much reading done but I did discover some pretty interesting books.

     

Yesterday by CK Kelly Martin
THEN: The formation of the UNA, the high threat of eco-terrorism, the mammoth rates of unemployment and subsequent escape into a world of virtual reality are things any student can read about in their 21st century textbooks and part of the normal background noise to Freya Kallas's life. Until that world starts to crumble.

NOW: It's 1985. Freya Kallas has just moved across the world and into a new life. On the outside, she fits in at her new high school, but Freya feels nothing but removed. Her mother blames it on the grief over her father's death, but how does that explain the headaches and why do her memories feel so foggy? When Freya lays eyes on Garren Lowe, she can't get him out of her head. She's sure that she knows him, despite his insistence that they've never met. As Freya follows her instincts and pushes towards hidden truths, the two of them unveil a strange and dangerous world where their days may be numbered. Unsure who to trust, Freya and Garren go on the run from powerful forces determined to tear them apart and keep them from discovering the truth about their shared pasts (and futures), her visions, and the time and place they really came from.

* Interesting premise but started off sooo slow and boring. I had a difficult time getting interested in it until I was near chapter 16.* Gave it a 2/5 star rating on Goodreads

Three Chost Stories by Charles Dickens
Includes the following short stories:
1) The Signal-Man
2) The Haunted-House
3) The Trial for Murder
* I gave this a rating of 3/5 stars on Goodreads simply because I enjoyed "The Signal-Man" so much, in my opinion the others were lacking and not up to what I have always come to expect from Charles Dickens.*

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh
Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look. 

Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. 

As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares. 
*Holy Batman did I love this book!! It's such an addictive and creative story. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Enshadowed so I can find out what happens to Isobel and Varren.* I gave this a rating on 5/5 stars on Goodreads.

34 Pieces of You by Carmen Rodrigues
There was something about Ellie... Something dangerous. Charismatic. Broken. Jake looked out for her. Sarah followed her lead. And Jess kept her distance, and kept watch.

Now Ellie’s dead, and Jake, Sarah, and Jess are left to pick up the pieces. All they have are 34 clues she left behind. 34 strips of paper hidden in a box beneath her bed. 34 secrets of a brief and painful life.

Jake, Sarah, and Jess all feel responsible for what happened to Ellie, and all three have secrets of their own. As they begin to confront the darkest truths about themselves, they will also find out what Ellie herself had been hiding all along
* Beautifully written and heartbreaking. You will definitely need to keep a box of tissues near you will reading 34 Pieces of You. If you love books like Thirteen Reasons Why and If I Lie than you will love this book.* I gave it a rating of 5/5 stars on Goodreads.

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
Aging, self-absorbed rock star Judas Coyne has a thing for the macabre -- his collection includes sketches from infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy, a trepanned skull from the 16th century, a used hangman's noose, Aleister Crowley's childhood chessboard, etc. -- so when his assistant tells him about a ghost for sale on an online auction site, he immediately puts in a bid and purchases it. The black, heart-shaped box that Coyne receives in the mail not only contains the suit of a dead man but also his vengeance-obsessed spirit. The ghost, it turns out, is the stepfather of a young groupie who committed suicide after the 54-year-old Coyne callously used her up and threw her away. Now, determined to kill Coyne and anyone who aids him, the merciless ghost of Craddock McDermott begins his assault on the rocker's sanity.
*Another book that had an interesting premise that I couldn't get into. I wanted to read this book in the month of October because it was listed in the Horror Genre and I wanted to read something creepy. Unfortunately, it wasn't scary at all, in fact it was more depressing than anything.* I gave this book a rating of 2/5 stars on Goodreads.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Seventeen-year-old Jenna Fox has just awoken from a year-long coma - so she's been told - and she is still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. But what happened before that? She's been given home movies chronicling her entire life, which spark memories to surface. But are the memories really hers? And why won't anyone in her family talk about the accident? Jenna is becoming more curious. But she is also afraid of what she might find out if she ever gets up the courage to ask her questions.
* Definitely original and a quick read. Part sci-fi, dystopian, and medical thriller all wrapped into one. The only thing that stopped me from giving it a 5 star rating was that it kind of seemed like it took awhile for the "real story" to start. I definitely plan on reading the rest of the series eventually.* I gave this book a rating on 4/5 stars on Goodreads.

Please leave comments or links below with all the great books that YOU discovered in the month of October.

Happy Reading :)

September Rewind

Welcome to September Rewind. I still didn't read as much as I would have liked this month but I did manage to discover some really good books.


    

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
My second favorite book in The Mortal Instrument Series behind City of Glass. I can't wait to find out what happens next to Jace and Clary when City of Heavenly Fire is released in 2014( Boooo to having to wait that long)

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
I love Sarah Dessen's novels and this one does not disappoint. If you love to read good YA Contemporaries check out Sarah Dessen's books. She is the YA version of Jodi Picoult to me( I mean that as a huge compliment) 

The Giver by Lois Lowry
Wow!! I really enjoyed this book and I'm sorry it took me so many years to get to it. Such a heartbreaking but beautifully written book.

August Rewind

     Welcome to August Rewind!!!!

Hey everyone!! I have decided to rename Best of( Insert month) reads to (insert month) Rewind because I want show all the books that I have read during the month instead of the select few that I think are great. Well here we go.....

I didn't read that much during the month of August( I know bad, bad Melanie) but I seriously loved every single book that I did read.

   

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey(Goodreads)

* I was so surprised by how much I loved this book. Normally, I'm not really into Horror books but this one changed my mind. I don't get creeped out when I read books but this one had some parts that genuinely creeped me out* 5/5

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork(Goodreads)

*OMGosh I absolutely adored this book!!! It's beautifully written and it tugs at your heart strings. I polished off this bad boy in one day* 5/5

If I Lie by Corrine Jackson(Goodreads)

*Nothing I will ever say can do this book justice. Absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking. I don't remember the last time I cried so much while reading a book. Characters were very well developed and I adored Quinn(Sophie).* 5/5

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks(Goodreads)

* One of my favorite Nicholas Sparks books, it not as sappy as his other books( Don't get me wrong I love sappy romances) but this one had quite a bit of mystery and suspense. Another Nicholas Spark book that I highly recommend if you like this one is The Guardian* 4/5

Thank you for stopping by and please comment and tell me what books you read in the month of August. 

Best of March Reads

Welcome to the Best of March Reads. Here are the books that I read and LOVED in the month of March 2012


  

Cinder by Marissa Meyer(goodreads)
One of my favorite books so far this year. You can check out my review here.


Marked by P.C. & Kristin Cast(goodreads)
Awesome, fast paced, and fun book about Vampyres. I gave this one 5/5 stars on goodreads


Welcome,Caller,This is Chloe by Shelley Coriell(goodreads)
It took me a little while to get into this book but ultimately I loved it and Chloe. Great 2012 Debut. Still working on review. 4/5 stars on goodreads




So, what great books did you read in March???


Happy Reading!

Best of January and February Reads

Welcome to Best of January and February Reads these book are ones that I gave either 4 or 5 stars to on goodreads and highly recommend.




    

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi(Goodreads)
I loved this book so much. Juliette was an awesome protagonist and I can't wait until February 2013 so I can get a copy of Unravel Me. 5/5 stars on goodreads


The Fault in Our Stars by John Green(Goodreads)
This is my first John Green book and it has made me a fan of his work. I love all the characters in this book, especially Augustus Waters. 5/5 stars on goodreads


Want To Go Private? by Sarah Darer Littman(Goodreads)
If I could choose only one book to put into the hands of every teen and parent this would be it. 5/5 stars on goodreads


Fever(#2 in The Chemical Gardens Trilogy) by Lauren DeStefano(Goodreads)
A really good sequel to Wither. Just when I thought that Vaugh couldn't get any worse he surprised me. Although I loved Fever I can't say that it lived up to it's predecessor as well as I thought it would. 4/5 stars on goodreads


Pandemonium(#2 in the Delirium Trilogy) by Lauren Oliver(Goodreads)
I love how Lena has developed so far in this trilogy. Wow!!! What a cliffhanger at the end. I can't wait for the final installment next year.


Quick Note:
I'm really sorry that I haven't been working on my blog lately but I have been really sick the last few months and recently had surgery. 


Thank you for stopping by and Happy Reading!!! :)

The Best Books I read in 2011

2011 was a great year book-wise for me. I discovered a lot of great books and some pretty cool authors. It's really hard to not list all the books that I enjoyed so I have decided I am only going to mention the books that I gave five stars on Goodreads.





dancergirl by Carol M. Tanzman
Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Enclave by Ann Aguirre
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult
The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Thank you for stopping by and if you made a blog post with your own 'Best of 2011' please link it below because I would love to check it out. If you don't have a blog let me know what were some of the best books that you read in 2011.

Happy Reading and I hope everyone has a wonderful 2012!!!